Former Hebei official admits guilt in bribery trial

Wang Xuefeng, a former senior official of Hebei province, pleaded guilty during his first trial on Friday in Taiyuan, Shanxi province, according to the official WeChat account of the Supreme People's Court. Wang is charged with bribery and using his influence to acquire bribes.

According to the prosecution of the People's Procuratorate of Taiyuan, Wang was accused of taking advantage of his various positions from 1999 to 2022 and abusing his power to seek profits for others and accepting bribes in exchange, receiving illegal gains totaling over 84 million yuan ($11.6 million).

Even after retiring, Wang continued using his influence to illicitly benefit from dealings in cases and project contracts, accumulating over 4.11 million yuan in illegal gains.

Wang was expelled from the Communist Party of China by the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection over serious violations of Party discipline and laws in July 2023.

He began working in 1971 and joined the Party in 1973. He was elected deputy director of the Standing Committee of the Hebei Provincial People's Congress in January 2013 and resigned in 2018.

According to a court statement, the verdict in the case will be released at a later date.